RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDE
December 2009
2
Character of
the Vale
12 Buscot Lock
13 Buscot Lock
6
2.1
Geology
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A study of the geology of the District can help to
understand why towns and villages appear the
way they are today. Geology can dictate where a
settlement is located, its size and the main building
materials. Image 14 below illustrates how the
District is subdivided into distinct geological areas.
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14 Geological Zones in the Vale
Vale of White Horse Residential Design Guide December 2009
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2.1
Geology
Zone 1: Thames Valley and
Corallian Ridge
• Zone 1A: Upper Thames Valley.
• Zone 1B: Golden Ridge & Oxford Heights.
Zone 1A is the northernmost zone; it comprises
the Oxford Clay beds of the Thames Valley, which
run from Buscot in the west to Wytham in the
east.
16 North of Coleshill
Zone 1B is the Corallian Ridge which is a remnant
of a coral reef formed during the Jurassic period.
The ridge is made up of limestone and sandstone.
It stretches from Faringdon to Kennington and
Radley. An area of Greensand is apparent around
Frilford where heathland plants are evident.
Zone 2: Clay Vale
• Zone 2A: Western Clay Vale.
• Zone 2B: Central Clay Vale.
• Zone 2C: Eastern Clay Vale.
Zone 2 is comprised of Kimmeridge and
Gault Clays which originally would have been
waterlogged marshy lands and thickly wooded
areas. Settlements took shape on slightly higher
ground as ‘islands’ which is denoted by the suffix
‘ey’, examples include Hanney and Goosey.
17 River Thames, Buscot
15 View of Oxford from Boars Hill
Vale of White Horse Residential Design Guide December 2009
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2.1
Geology
Zone 3: Upper Greensand
Ledge and Lower Chalk
Zone 3 is comprised of a larger area of Greensand
with lower chalk towards the North Wessex
Downs. This zone stretches from the western
villages of Ashbury and Childrey through to
Wantage, the Hendreds and as far as Blewbury in
the east.
Zone 4: Upper and Middle
Chalk Downs
18 White Horse Hill
Zone 4 is the southern most zone, it comprises
the Middle and Upper Chalk of the Downs. The
Zone has relatively few settlements, except for
farmsteads around the Ridgeway. The land is
mainly used for grazing due to the poor soil
conditions.
19 View south from Kingston Lisle
20 View north of Watchfield
Vale of White Horse Residential Design Guide December 2009
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2.2
Character
The following sections provide an overview of the
character of each of the zones.
Although geology has a very strong influence on
the character of a settlement, other factors such
as local traditions, history and technology can
also influence the evolution and appearance of a
settlement. Image 21 below divides the Vale into
separate character zones, taking into account
geology, landscape and a physical assessment of
individual settlements in each zone.
It should be noted that the individual character of
the five largest settlements in the District, Abingdon,
Botley, Faringdon, Wantage and Grove, is more varied
because of their size and history. These settlements
do not therefore fit comfortably into the individual
character zones and, therefore, they are described
separately.
Zone 1 - Thames Valley and Corrallian Ridge
Zone 1 A - Golden Ridge and Wooded
Estate Villages
Significant Hilltops
Zone 1 B - Eastern Thames
Rivers and Streams
Zone 23 - Clay Vale
Settlements
Zone 2 A - Western Vale Villages
- Thames Valley and Corrallian Ridge
Zone 1 A - Golden Ridge and
Wooded
Zone
2
Estate Villages
Zone 1 B - Eastern Thames
Wytham
B - Central Alluvial Island villages
Significant Hilltops
OXFORD
Zone 2 C - Lowland Villages
Rivers and Streams
- Clay Vale
BOTLEY
Settlements
Zone 2 A - Western Vale Villages
Zone 3 - Rolling Farmland Villages
Zone 2 B - Central Alluvial Island villages
Cumnor
Hill
Zone 2 C - Lowland Villages
Cumnor
Zone 4 - Chalk Villages
Zone 3 - Rolling Farmland Villages
Zone 4 - Chalk Villages
Appleton
Zone 5 - Upper Chalk Downs
Longworth
Hinton
Waldrist
Buckland
Buscot
Buscot
ABINGDON
Littleworth
Charney
Bassett
Coleshill
Watchfield
Drayton
Stanford
in the Vale
West
Hanney
GROVE
East
Challow
Uffington
Kingston
Lisle Watchfield
Childrey
Woolstone
Ashbury
Shrivenham
White Horse
Hill
Longcot
WANTAGE
Letcombe
Regis
Uffington
Bourton
Woolstone
Ashbury
Charney
Sutton
Bassett
Courtenay
Stanford
inMilton
the Vale
West
Hanney
DIDCOT
Harwell
Fernham
Ardington
Letcombe
Bassett
21 Character Zones in the Vale
Steventon
Denchworth
Longcot
Bourton
East
Hanney
FARINGDON
Goosey
Fernham
K
B
Southmoor
Marcham
Littleworth
FARINGDON
Hinton
Radley
Waldrist
Buckland
Kingston
Bagpuize
Southmoor
Shrivenham
Longworth
Wootton
Zone 5 - Upper Chalk Downs
Coleshill
Kennington
Goosey
East
Hendred
Denchworth
East
Lockinge
Kingston
Lisle
G
Blewbury
Ginge
Chilton
East
Challow
Childrey
White Horse
Hill
Letcombe
Regis
WANTA
Letcombe
Bassett
Vale of White Horse Residential Design Guide December 2009
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2.2
Character
Zone 1: Thames Valley and
Corallian Ridge
Zone 1 covers approximately one third of the
land area of the Vale. The area follows the path
of the River Thames, which bounds the District
to the north and east. Here, the landscape is
a mixture of water meadows and pasture on
slightly higher ground.
22 North Hinksey
To the south is the Corallian or Golden Ridge, a
higher area of land along the crest of which lie
various settlements.
The zone contains many areas of deciduous
woodland, including some ancient woodlands,
particularly along the Corallian Ridge and in the
north-eastern corner of the Vale.
In the east, the proximity to Oxford allowed
for a wide variety of building materials to be
transported into the District. In the west, until the
railway connected into Faringdon, materials were
restricted to those that were available locally.
This meant less influence by external factors and
fashions in favour of traditional materials such as
limestone, stone slates and thatch.
23 River Thames, Abingdon
Zone 1 is subdivided into two separate sub-zones
to the east and the west of the Vale. These subzones are appraised below:
• Zone 1A -Corallian Ridge and Wooded Estate
Villages
• Zone 1B - Eastern Thames
24 Buckland
25 Estate Cottages, Coleshill 26 Cumnor Hill
Vale of White Horse Residential Design Guide December 2009
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2.2
Character
Zone 1A: Corallian Ridge & Wooded Estate
Villages
27 View north from Faringdon
Landscape Character
The northernmost part of the Vale abuts the River
Thames and contains soft Oxford Clays covered
by gravels and alluvium.
The landscape combines a diverse mix of water
meadows, small woodlands, pasture, with willows
along the river banks and hedgerows.
The Corallian Ridge runs the length of the District
and beyond in either direction. In the west the
ridge, also known as the Golden Ridge, is bisected
by streams, which have formed steep slopes. In
the Faringdon area, this is evident in the form of
Badbury Hill and Faringdon Folly Hill.
28 Buckland House
Much of the ridge is characterised by woodland,
including a significant area of ancient woodland.
Built Environment Character
The majority of the settlements are set back from
the river on higher ground along the ridge line.
Settlements here are often based around country
estates and large manor houses with gardens
designed to look out over the north-facing scarp.
29 Pusey
Settlements are typically limestone villages built
of locally sourced, hard Corallian Ragstone, and
their elevated position often provides spectacular
expansive views.
Zone 1A
Appleton
Buckland
Buscot
Coleshill
Cumnor
Faringdon
Farmoor
Fyfield
Great Coxwell
Hinton Waldrist
Kingston Bagpuize
Little Coxwell
Littleworth
Longworth
Pusey
Shrivenham
Southmoor
Sunningwell
Tubney
Watchfield
Wytham
30 Wytham
31 Cumnor
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2.2
Character
Walls
Zone 1A: Palette of Materials
The defining building features include limestone,
which helps create the distinctive character of
the area. Steep pitched roofs, narrow gables and
dormer windows are typical of the area.
Walls:
32 A variety of shades of coursed and uncoursed
limestone
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Random, uncoursed rubble, local corallian limestone
with a variety of bed widths and colours.
Ashlar limestone dressings.
Coursed stone appears on later dwellings.
Colour washed lime render often covers stone
beneath.
Berkshire orange brick - usually on smaller Victorian
dwellings or on Georgian properties.
Decorative brickwork - often blue or buff for
chimneys, quoins, doors and window detailing.
Timber frame with render or brick infill panels.
Weatherboard is restricted to conversions from
agricultural or cottage industry uses.
33 Colour washed Render
34 Berkshire orange brick
with blue headers
35 Natural and stained weatherboard - traditional and
modern
Roofs:
There are three roofing materials that are equally
dominant:
• Stone slates.
• Thatch was traditionally locally sourced long or
wheat straw with flush ridges.
• Orange plain clay tiles.
• Blue slates.
Roofs
36 Stone slates
37 Blue slate
38 Typical thatched roof
39 Local orange plain
Windows & Doors:
•
•
Timber sash and casement windows and iron
leaded casement windows.
Timber doors.
Timber Finishes:
•
•
•
•
The paint colour palette is narrow, with white or
similar pale colours. Estate colours in villages such
as Buscot and Coleshill.
Tar and pitch on barns and exposed timber
frames.
Untreated oak.
For more see information see appendix D.
with dormer
clay tiles
Timber Finishes
40 White painted timber
windows
41 Buscot estate paint
colours
Vale of White Horse Residential Design Guide December 2009
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2.2
Character
44 Berkshire orange brick
45 Painted render
46 Coursed limestone
47 Slate
48 Traditional Georgian
49 Traditional heritage
Zone 1A Settlements with distinct character
Faringdon
The larger settlements in the Vale have individual
characteristics which do not always accord with
the character zone in which they are located.
Whilst Faringdon is influenced by the character of
Zone 1, it has developed its individual character
because of its history, location and size.
Faringdon is the largest settlement in Zone 1A,
and has panoramic views across the Thames
Valley from its perch on the Golden Ridge.
There is a relatively broad spectrum of building
materials influenced by the arrival of the canal and
railway, including brick, stone and limewashed
and painted renders. The predominant roofing
materials are blue and stone slates.
colours
colours
50 Gravel Walk, Faringdon
42 London Street, Faringdon
43 Lechlade Road, Faringdon
51 Dove Court, Faringdon
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2.2
Character
Zone 1B: The Eastern Thames
Landscape Character
52 View west to Boars Hill
The eastern Thames and Oxford Heights area
differs from the area to the west primarily due
to its proximity to Oxford. It is a much more
developed area, where better transport links have
led to the availability of a wider range of building
materials.
Built Environment Character
Many of the settlements in Zone 1B are situated
in low lying areas in close proximity to the River
Thames.
53 River Thames
One of the largest settlements in the zone is
Botley, which sits on the edge of Oxford. The
topography rises up from the Thames at Cumnor
Hill, from where there are expansive views to the
north.
Abingdon is the largest town in the District,
but still retains its character as a historic market
town.
54 North Hinksey
Zone 1B:
Abingdon (north of River Ock)
Boars Hill
Botley
Cumnor Hill
Foxcombe Hill
North Hinksey
Kennington
Radley
Wootton
55 Boars Hill
56 North Hinksey
Vale of White Horse Residential Design Guide December 2009
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2.2
Character
Walls
Zone 1B: Palette of Materials
The Corallian limestone again has a strong presence,
particularly on cottages in villages.
Walls:
•
A mix of uncoursed and coursed corallian limestone.
Usually smaller regular shaped stones with Ashlar
limestone dressings.
•
Colour washed lime render often covers earlier
stone beneath.
•
Berkshire orange brick - predominates in urban
areas.
Decorative brickwork - often blue or buff for
chimneys, quoins, doors and window detailing.
Timber frame with render or brick infill panels.
Weatherboard is usually found on conversions.
•
•
•
57 Light to mid range shades of Corallian limestone either coursed or uncoursed
58 Colour washed
Render
59 Berkshire orange brick
with blue headers
Roofs:
There are three main roofing materials:
• Plain clay tiles predominate in the zone and often
replace earlier stone or thatch.
• Blue slate is also common.
• Thatch is generally found in rural settlements on
smaller dwellings and barns. Usually locally sourced
long or wheat straw.
Roofs
Fenestration and Doors:
•
Timber sash and casement, iron leaded casement
windows.
•
Timber doors.
60 Orange /red plain clay tiles
Timber Finishes
•
The paint colour palette is narrow, with white
or similar pale colours. The exception is in urban
locations, where a broader, palette is observed.
•
Tar and pitch on barns and timber frame.
•
Untreated oak.
•
For more detail on paint and stain colours see
appendix D.
61 Blue Slate
62 Typical thatched roof
Timber Finishes
63 White painted timber
windows
64 White painted timber
door
Vale of White Horse Residential Design Guide December 2009
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2.2
Character
Zone 1B Settlements with distinct character
The larger settlements in the Vale have individual
characteristics which can differ from those of the
zone in which they are located. Abingdon and
Botley have developed individual characteristics
largely influenced by their history, location and
size.
67 Morland Brewery conversion
Abingdon
Abingdon is the largest town in the District. The
built history of the town includes buildings which
date from the 15th century, including the chapel
of St John’s Hospital, a refuge for travellers, and
almshouses around St Helen’s Church.
Brick is the predominant building material in
Abingdon, although render and stone are also
well used. The predominant roofing material is
clay tiles.
68 Contemporary use of brick and clay tiles. Flood
risk addressed by raising ground floor level
69 Red/orange brick and
70 Coursed limestone
71 Paint covering ashlar
72 Render over earlier
73 Doors painted in
74 Contemporary metal
clay tiles
with ashlar dressings
65 Almshouses
beneath
66 Ornate Victorian detailing
Georgian colours
brick or stone
windows
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2.2
Character
Botley
Botley is one of the largest settlements in the
Zone. Although it was first settled in Saxon
times, its major development has taken place
since the 1930’s and generally to the west of
the ring road. The character of Botley includes
a mix of styles, ranging from stone cottages and
Victorian terraces to 20th century residential
suburbs.
Cumnor Hill extends to the west of Botley
and links to the village of Cumnor. It has a
distinctive low density, well landscaped character,
and includes a variety of substantial detached
properties and a number of contemporary
apartment buildings.
77 Uncoursed limestone cottage
78 Modern Flats
A broad spectrum of building materials has been used
in the Botley and Cumnor Hill area, including brick,
render, stone, and more modern materials such as
metal and glass. The predominant roofing material is
plain clay tiles.
79 Red/orange brick with
80 Modern infill based
81 Uncoursed limestone
82 Clay tiled extension to
83 Original windows
84 Contemporary metal
buff banding
on 1930s design
75 Seacourt Tower, Botley
with ashlar dressings
76 Typical Victorian terraces
maintained
stone cottage
windows
Vale of White Horse Residential Design Guide December 2009
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2.2
Character
Zone 2: The Clay Vale
85 Stanford in the Vale
The Clay Vale is the largest of the character
zones. It is a broad low-lying area of Kimmeridge
and Gault Clays, with fields predominantly used
as pastureland. Throughout the Clay Vale, Willow
trees lie along the river valleys and streams.
Historically, it was a quiet rural area of self
sufficient villages and hamlets. Between 1790
and 1840 significant changes took place due to the arrival of the canal and railway, which led
to materials being imported into the area from
further afield. 86 East Hanney
During this period a number of brickworks were
set up in the area to take advantage of the rich
clay soils. These were located in Stanford in
the Vale, East Challow, Childrey and Uffington. Brick replaced stone as the principal building
material and was used in the construction of new
dwellings, the repair of older buildings and to add
detailing such as quoins and window surrounds
to stone buildings.
The Uffington Brick and Tile Company, which
was sited to the north of Uffington within the
Clay Vale, provided a large quantity of bricks to
Wantage and the surrounding villages.
87 River Thames, Sutton Courtenay
The arrival of the canal and railway led to the
development of Victorian brick and blue slate
terraces within villages and as extensions to some
villages.
Zone 2 is subdivided into three separate subzones to the east, west and centrally across the
Vale, these sub-zones are appraised below:
88 Pusey House
• Zone 2A - The Western Clay Vale Villages
• Zone 2B - Central Alluvial Island Villages
• Zone 2C - Lowland Villages
89 Thatched cottage,
Grove
90 Distinct yellow
paintwork, Marcham
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2.2
Character
Zone 2A: The Western Clay Vale
Landscape Character
91 View across Zone 2A from below White Horse Hill
The Western Clay Vale stretches from the
north of Uffington as far as the Corallian Ridge
near Faringdon, eastwards to Charney Bassett
and westwards to Bourton. The pastures and
hedgerows of the clay soils are concentrated in
the west, between Woolstone and Lyford.
The landscape was once heavily wooded, but is
now relatively open largely due to the loss of Elm
trees in the 1970’s. Some hedgerows have also
been removed to create larger fields.
92 View northwards towards Shrivenham
Built Environment Character
As the original landscape of the Clay Vale was
low lying and either heavily wooded or very wet
marshland, it had relatively few settlements.
These are generally smaller villages and hamlets,
usually located on outcrops of gravel raised above
the wet land.
One of the largest settlements in the zone is
Grove, which differs significantly in character from
the other settlements as it has been substantially
expanded since the Second World War.
93 Shellingford’s stone cottages
94 Charney Bassett
Zone 2A
Baulking
Bourton
Charney Bassett
East Challow
Fernham
Grove
Hatford
Longcot
Lyford
Shippon
Shellingford
Stanford in the Vale
West Challow
95 Victorian Gothic, Charney Bassett
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2.2
Character
Walls
Zone 2A: Palette of Materials
Although a clay zone, the proximity to stone has led to
stone being the predominant building material. It is a
rural zone with many wide frontage cottages and low
thatched roofs.
Walls:
•
The local coursed corallian limestone with a variety
of tones.
•
Uncoursed stone appears on the earliest of
dwellings or former agricultural buildings.
•
Colour washed render is rarely found but usually
covers stone beneath.
•
Brick is less frequently used.
•
Brick has a common decorative use on stone
buildings for quoins and window detailing.
•
Weatherboard is usually found on outbuildings and
agricultural buildings and conversions.
Roofs:
•
Roofing materials predominantly stone slates.
•
Clay tiles are often a later replacement for stone
slates.
•
Thatch is also common on smaller cottages.
•
Blue slate is less common - usually found on later
dwellings.
Fenestration and Doors:
96 Light Corallian limestone with brick, ashlar and
wooden dressings
97 Colour washed render
98 Blue headers
99 Stained weatherboard
100Natural oak
weatherboard
Roofs
101 Traditional and modern replacement stone slates
• Timber sash and casement, iron leaded casement
windows.
• Timber doors.
Timber Finishes:
102Red plain clay tiles
• The paint colour palette is narrow, with white
or pale colours such as greens and greys. The
exception is in urban locations, where a broader,
palette is observed.
• Tar and pitch on barns and timber frame.
• Untreated oak
• For more detail on paint and stain colours see
appendix D.
Timber Finishes
104White painted timber
doors and windows
103Traditional thatch
105Green painted timber
windows
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2.2
Character
Zone 2A Settlements with distinct character
The larger settlements in the Vale have individual
characteristics which can differ from those of
the zone in which they are located. Grove has
developed its own character which is largely
dominated by its post war expansion.
108 Brick and tile cottage
Grove
Grove is the largest settlement in Zone 2A. The
buildings include a number of older buildings,
which are concentrated around the conservation
area. The majority of development in Grove,
however, is of post war construction.
In the old village, the traditional materials include
stone, brick, render and timber framing. The
roofing materials include blue slate and plain clay
tiles, but also thatch and stone tiles.
109 Modern dwellings based on traditional designs
110Blue slate
111Orange/red plain clay
112Thatched dormers
113Half hipped thatch
114Black and white
115Edwardian green
tile
106 Brick and timber frame
107 Render and timber frame
painted timber doors
and windows
roof
painted door
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2.2
Character
Zone 2B: Central Alluvial Island Villages
Landscape Character
116 Letcombe Brook at East Hanney
To the east, the Gault Clay meets the Kimmeridge
Clay and together the two form a wide unbroken
vale as far as the Thames at Abingdon. There are
extensive alluvial flats and gravel terraces where
the Ock meets the Thames.
A number of watercourses such as the Letcombe
Brook, Land Brook and Childrey Brook flow
through the area. These led to the building of
a number of water mills which provided the
power for the production of flour, silk and wool
at different periods in the Vale’s history.
117 View across the green at Goosey to the Downs
Built Environment Character
The ‘island’ villages were established in preNorman times on a gravel bed set in the marshy
low lying Vale. This gave rise to the building of
raised causeways to connect settlements as the
surrounding lower fields had the potential to
flood.
118 Gatehouse, Denchworth
Goosey is a prime example of an island village.
It comprises a group of houses, cottages and
farm buildings scattered around a large green,
originally intended for keeping geese.
It
has retained its essential character over the
centuries.
119 Marcham
Zone 2B
Cotford
Denchworth
Dry Sandford
East Hanney
Frilford
Frilford Heath
Goosey
Garford
Marcham
West Hanney
120Thatched cottage, Grove
121Farmhouse, Goosey
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2.2
Character
Walls
Zone 2B: Palette of Materials
122 Berkshire orange brick - often with blue headers
The location of this zone traditionally provided access
to a variety of materials. The clay provided local bricks,
with stone and timber also being readily available
nearby. This zone has the greatest mix of materials for
walls and roofs with no one material predominating.
Small wide frontage, 1.5-2 storey cottages are most
prevalent.
Walls:
•
Local coursed corallian limestone with light to mid
tones and smaller bed widths.
•
Uncoursed stone appears on the earliest of dwellings
or former agricultural buildings.
•
Timber framing with either brick, stone or lime
render infill.
•
Berkshire orange brick - often with blue headers.
•
Brick has a common decorative use on stone
buildings for quoins and window detailing.
•
Weatherboard is usually found on outbuildings and
agricultural buildings.
123 Local limestone in narrow beds - often with brick
detailing
124Timber frame with
lime render infill
125Timber frame with
brick infill
Roofs
Roofs:
•
Stone slates.
•
Orange or orange/red clay tiles.
•
Thatch with a plain, flush ridge.
126Stone slates
127Orange/red clay tile
128Orange plain clay tiles
129Thatch
Fenestration and Doors:
• Timber sash and casement, iron leaded casement
windows.
• Timber doors.
Timber Finishes:
• The paint colour palette is narrow, with white
or pale colours such as greens and greys. The
exception is In Marcham, where a yellow paint
has been applied.
• Tar and pitch on barns and timber frame.
• Untreated oak.
• For more detail on paint and stain colours see
appendix D.
Timber Finishes
130Black and white
painted windows and
doors
131Yellow paintwork
- a local colour to
properties in Marcham
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2.2
Character
Zone 2C: Lowland Villages
132 Steventon Causeway
Landscape Character
Zone 2C stretches from Steventon in the west to
Appleford in the east, and from Harwell in the
south northwards to the south of Abingdon.
The wider landscape contains expansive open
arable fields on thin gravel terraces, which overlay
the clay sub soil.
The Thames passes along the northern boundary
of this zone. The area is bisected by the A34,
and views to the east are dominated by Didcot
Power Station.
133 River Thames
The area west of the A34 is characterised by
a feeling of openness. There are wide views
over the area from Steventon Hill to the south
of Steventon village. The flat open landscape
provides views of the North Wessex Downs to the
south and the Corallian Ridge to the north.
Built Environment Character
134 Causeway cottages
There are a number of fine examples of traditional
timber frame buildings with brick and render infill
panels in the area. Particularly good examples
can be found in Steventon, Sutton Courtenay
and Harwell.
135 Sutton Courtenay
Zone 2C
Abingdon (south of
River Ock)
Drayton
Harwell
Milton
Steventon
Sutton Courtenay
136Stone cottage,
Drayton
137Victorian farmhouse,
Steventon
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2.2
Character
Walls
Zone 2C: Palette of Materials
This area of the clay vale is dominated by the use of
timber framing and brick from local brickworks. The
orange/ red Berkshire brick is often combined with blue
or buff in detailing, string courses or diaper work.
A variety of building forms are found here with a mix
of:
• Small wide fronted cottages often in rows.
•
Substantial detached 2-2.5 storey houses.
•
Corner and ‘L’ shaped forms.
•
Prominent gables.
•
Jettied first floors.
138 Berkshire orange brick with a variety of features
including: blue headers and string course, buff
detailing, diaper work and dentil and bottle work
Walls:
• Timber framing with either brick, limestone or lime
render infill.
•
Berkshire orange brick.
139 Timber framing with brick, stone or render infill
•
Frequent use of contrasting detailing - blue headers,
buff brick courses, diaper work and dentilation.
Roofs
•
Weatherboard is usually found on outbuildings and
agricultural buildings and conversions.
Roofs:
• Orange or orange/red clay tiles.
•
Thatch with a plain, flush ridge.
•
Blue slate
140Orange clay tile
141Red/orange clay tile
142Flush ridge Thatch
143Blue slate
Fenestration and Doors:
• Timber sash and casement, iron and timber
leaded casement windows.
Timber Finishes
• Timber doors.
Timber Finishes:
• The paint colour palette in rural areas is narrow, with
white or pale colours such as greens and greys.
• In urban areas and on larger dwellings, greater
use of Georgian and Victorian colours particularly
on doors.
144Painted and stained
145Ornate leaded
146Georgian green door
147Georgian porch
timber windows
casements
• Tar and pitch on barns and timber frame.
• Untreated oak.
• For more detail on paint and stain colours see
appendix D.
Vale of White Horse Residential Design Guide December 2009
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2.2
Character
Zone 3: Rolling Farmland
Villages
148 View from East Lockinge
Landscape Character
Zone 3 stretches from Letcombe Regis in the west
to Blewbury in the east, and from East Hendred in
the north to the southern boundary of the Vale.
The Lower Chalk and Upper Greensand is a
transitional landscape area, situated between the
Chalk Downs and the flat Clay Vale. This area
of Greensand becomes broader in the east of the
District.
From Wantage to Blewbury, the Lower Chalk
forms a broad plateau below the Downs which is
particularly evident to the north of East Hendred.
Here, the landscape is dominated by open arable
fields with limited hedgerows.
149 The restored Childrey village pond
In other areas the Lower Chalk spreads out and
creates small valleys, forming an undulating
landscape below the Downs, such as around the
hamlet of Ginge.
Built Environment Character
150 View through East Hendred
The villages in Zone 3 are situated at the edge of
the northern scarp of the North Wessex Downs.
They are located along a spring line running
through an area of Lower Chalk and Upper
Greensand.
The built environment in Zone 3 includes a mix of
small hamlets and the second largest settlement
in the Vale, Wantage.
151 Narrow timber framing
Zone 3
Ardington
Blewbury
Childrey
Chilton
East Hendred
Ginge
Letcombe Regis
Lockinge
Sparsholt
Upton
West Hendred
Wantage
152Ornate estate
cottages
153Timber frame and
thatch
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2.2
Character
Walls
Zone 3: Palette of Materials
This zone has the most predominant use of timber
framing and brick. Originally infilled with limewashed
wattle and daub or early brick, however this was often
replaced with modern brick or plaster.
The Victorian estate villages of Ardington and Lockinge
often recreate the medieval timber framing, but within
a highly decorative Gothic style.
154 Commonly square or narrow Timber framing with
patterned brick or rendered infill.
A variety of building forms are found here with a mix of:
• Taller often deep plan cottages.
•
Substantial detached 2-2.5 storey houses.
•
Corner and ‘L’ shaped forms.
•
Prominent steep pitch gables.
•
Jettied first floors.
155 Berkshire orange facing brick with burnt or blue
headers
Walls:
• Timber framing with either brick or lime render
infill.
•
Berkshire orange brick.
•
Frequent use of detailing - herringbone pattern,
string courses, and dentilation usually in the same
facing brick.
•
Colour washed lime render.
•
Limited use of tile hanging.
•
Weatherboard on outbuildings.
156Lime render
157Weatherboard
Roofs
Roofs:
• Orange or orange/red clay tiles.
•
Thatch with a plain, flush ridge.
•
Blue slate.
158Orange clay tile
159Clay tile - gabled
160Thatch
161Blue slate - steep pitch
Fenestration and Doors:
• Timber sash and casement, iron and timber
leaded casement windows.
• Timber doors.
Timber Finishes:
• The paint colour palette in rural areas is narrow,
with white or pale colours such as greens and
greys often with black contrasts.
Timber Finishes
• Tar and pitch on barns and timber frame.
• Untreated oak.
• For more detail on paint and stain colours see
appendix D.
162Heritage green timber
door and windows
163Black stained timber
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2.2
Character
Zone 3 Settlements with distinct character
Wantage:
The larger settlements in the Vale have individual
characteristics which can differ from those of
the zone in which they are located. Wantage
has developed individual characteristics largely
influenced by its history, location and size. 166 Harmonious Victorian street design
Wantage is the second largest settlement in
the Vale. Originally a small Roman settlement,
the town has changed dramatically over the
centuries particularly with the arrival of the
canal and railway and, in recent years, with the
redevelopment of parts of the town centre.
The Uffington Brick and Tile Company provided
a large quantity of bricks for Wantage in the
19th Century, which enabled the development of
Victorian red-brick properties.
167 Industrial conversion
Traditional building materials in Wantage include
orange brick (sometimes with blue headers) and
render, with blue slate and plain clay tile roofs.
168Blue slate with small
171Orange/red plain clay
169Timber frame and
172Metal detailing
170Original timber doors
173Contemporary
dormer
164 Imposing Georgian features
render
165 Grove Street, Wantage
and windows are
maintained
tile - decorative ridge
reflecting historic
former use
window designs
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2.2
Character
Zone 4: Chalk Villages
along the Spring Line
174 View to White Horse Hill from north of Woolstone
Landscape Character
Zone 4 stretches from the west of East Challow
to Idstone. The villages open out to the south
onto a steeply rising landscape with large open
fields.
In other areas the Lower Chalk spreads out
and with its small valleys forms an undulating
landscape. Near Uffington the Lower Chalk
narrows to form a ledge.
175 Kingston Lisle
The Icknield Way runs at the foot of the Lower
Chalk where the Chalk meets the Greensand.
Watercourses drain from springs towards the
River Ock.
The area around the Upper Greensand and the
lower slopes of the Lower Chalk is characterised
by considerable tree cover and a gentler
landscape than the Upper Chalk Downland.
Built Environment Character
176 Ashbury
Zone 4 is characterised by small settlements, with
Uffington being the largest. The character of
the villages is distinctly rural, typically comprising
informal cottages and farmsteads, although some
villages include large Manor houses.
177 Woolstone
Zone 4
Ashbury
Compton Beauchamp
Fawler
Idstone
Kingston Lisle
Kingstone Winslow
Knighton
Woolstone
Uffington
178Uffington
179Sarsen stone
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2.2
Character
Walls
Zone 4: Palette of Materials
The most prominent material is local chalk blocks
set on a foundation of sarsen stones. Sometimes
sarsen stones alone make up the walls. As these
are extremely difficult to cut, they are always laid as
whole stones in a random uncoursed fashion.
Small 1.5-2 storey wide frontage cottages often with
thatched roofs predominate.
Walls:
• Chalk block either regular sized and laid in courses
or random sized and uncoursed.
•
Sarsen stone mixed with other materials such as
chalk or brick.
•
Timber framing.
•
Berkshire orange brick usually used for brick quoins
and detailing around windows and doors and
repairs to chalk.
•
Colour washed lime render.
•
Weatherboard on outbuildings.
180Examples of coursed chalk block and uncoursed
chalk and sarsen stone construction
181 Timber frame and render often over chalk or stone
182Brick repairs
183Brick detailing
Roofs
Roofs:
• Thatch with a plain, flush ridge.
•
Red/orange clay tiles.
•
Stone slates.
•
Blue slate.
Fenestration and Doors:
• Timber sash and casement, iron
casement windows.
184Hipped thatch
185Half hipped thatch
186Stone slates
187Red/orange clay tile
leaded
• Timber doors.
Timber Finishes:
• The paint colour palette in rural areas is narrow,
with white or pale colours such as greens and
greys often with black contrasts.
• Tar and pitch on barns and timber frame
Timber Finishes
• Untreated oak.
• For more detail on paint and stain colours see
appendix D.
188Cream painted door
and railings
189Pale green painted
timber door
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2.2
Character
Zone 5: The Upper Chalk
Downs
Landscape Character
This zone is characterised by large open fields. There are numerous woodland areas, including
mixed and deciduous plantations. Larger areas
of deciduous woodland are found at the western
end of the zone, in the vicinity of Ashdown Park,
including some areas of ancient woodland.
190 White Horse Hill
The north-facing escarpment of the North Wessex
Downs is prominent. The Ridgeway, Britain’s
oldest road, runs along the top of the Downs
and includes a number of nationally important
archaeological sites such as White Horse Hill and
Waylands Smithy
Built Environment Character
Zone 5 is sparsely settled, with only one
settlement of any size, Letcombe Bassett. The
remaining built environment comprises a mix of
farmsteads and the notable Ashdown House.
191 Watchfield Windfarm from the Downs
Ashdown House is constructed of chalk blocks
with stone quoins. The building has Dutch and
French influences and its hipped roof is topped
by two large chimneys and an octagonal cupola.
The house is unusually tall and narrow, which is
emphasised by the openness of the landscape
within which it is set, and includes a detached
pavilion on each side.
192 Dragon Hill
Zone 5
Letcombe Bassett
193Waylands Smithy
194Ashdown House
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2.2
Character
Walls
195Timber frame with render or brick infill
Zone 5: Palette of Materials
The most prominent material is timber framing infilled
with either chalk, stone or render.
A rural, open zone which is contains predominantly
farms and farm cottages.
Large detached farmhouses often set in a courtyard of
associated outbuildings.
196Render often covers
197Uncoursed chalk with
198Replacement weather
199Weatherboard
200Painted chalk & brick
201Sarsen stone and flint
chalk or brick beneath
brick repairs
Small 1.5-2 storey wide frontage cottages often with
thatched roofs.
Walls:
• Timber framing with chalk, stone or render infill
•
Chalk block random sized and uncoursed.
•
Sarsen stone mixed with other materials such as
chalk or brick.
•
Weatherboard on outbuildings and extensions to
cottages.
•
North Wessex orange brick as a sole facing material
usually on outbuildings or used in repairs.
•
Colour washed lime render.
board
extension
Roofs
Roofs:
• Thatch with a plain, flush ridge.
•
Red/orange clay tiles.
Fenestration and Doors:
• Timber sash and casement, iron
casement windows.
202Hipped thatch
203Thatch and tile
Timber Finishes:
• The paint colour palette in rural areas is narrow,
with white or pale colours such as greens and
greys often with black contrasts.
204Orange clay tile
205Red/orange clay tile
• Tar and pitch on barns and timber frame.
Timber Finishes
leaded
• Timber doors.
• Untreated oak.
• For more detail on paint and stain colours see
appendix D.
206Painted windows &
stained door
207Black and white
painted windows
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2.3
Built Character
Traditional Settlement
Patterns
The settlement patterns in the Vale can be
arranged into four different types, each of which
has evolved over time.
Nucleated Settlements
Nucleated settlements are compact, with
development concentrated in the core.
Historically, the core would have been formed
around a significant building such as a manor
house or a church.
208Nucleated settlement
Poly-focal Settlements
Poly-focal
settlements
have
development
concentrated in more than one core. These cores
would have developed around several important
buildings, such as a church or manor house. This
historic settlement pattern is frequently eroded
because of later development filling the gaps
between the original cores. In villages where
the original gaps still exist, they can make an
important contribution to the character of the
settlement.
209Poly-focal settlement
Linear Settlements
Linear settlements have a distinctive ribbon
form. Development is concentrated along a
primary road, with less development on smaller
side roads. The depth of development in linear
settlements is generally narrow, which allows
views of the surrounding countryside from within
the settlement.
210linear settlement
Dispersed Settlements
Dispersed settlements have evolved around
separate original manors or separate farm groups
forming foci for development. Open land is also a
key component of dispersed settlements. As with
poly-focal settlements, later infill can reduce the
openness of these settlements.
211Dispersed settlement
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2.3
Built Character
A variety of traditional style dwellings, which can be
used as the basis for modern developments. The
majority can be clad in materials appropriate to the
zone or be translated into a more modern concept.
Traditional House Types
212Detached Cottage
215Semi-detached Cottage
•
•
•
Wide frontage,
shallow depth plan
form.
Low roof height with
dormer windows on
eaves line.
Suitable for rural or
village development.
•
•
•
•
213Detached Cottage
216Townhouse
•
•
•
214Corner House
Semi detached
narrow frontage with
deep plan form.
Often with single
storey side or rear
extensions.
Two storey roof
height.
Suitable for urban or
rural development.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wide frontage,
shallow depth plan
form.
Two storey roof
height with or
without dormer
windows above
eaves line.
Suitable for rural
development to
urban where linked
as semi-detached or
terrace.
Mix of components
- wide frontage,
shallow depth plan
form linked to narrow
deep plan form.
Used on corner
sites or where two
frontage elements
required.
Two storey roof
height with or
without dormer
windows cutting the
eaves line.
Suitable for rural
development as a
detached or urban
where linked as semidetached.
Can also be used as
apartments in urban
areas.
•
•
•
•
Usually terraced or
semi detached.
Narrow frontage with
deep plan form.
Often with single
or two storey rear
extension.
Three storey roof
height with or
without dormers.
above the eaves.
Suitable for high
density urban
development
217Timber Bay House
•
•
•
•
•
Flexible as detached,
terraced or semi
detached.
Designed a series
of bays - width and
depth as required.
Two storey roof
height.
Can use traditional or
modern materials.
Suitable for village
settings.
Vale of White Horse Residential Design Guide December 2009
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2.4
Designations
Environmental, Landscape and Townscape Designations
Wytham
Landscape Designations
Environmental, Landscape and Townscape Designations
AONB
Wytham
Landscape Designations
AONB
Greenbelt
Rivers and Streams
Environmental
Greenbelt Designations
Rivers and Streams
SSSI
Environmental Designations
SSSI
OXFORD
B
Settlements
BOTLEY
Settlements
Special Area of Conservation
Special Area of Conservation
Registered Parks and Gardens
Cumnor
Cumnor
Registered Parks and Gardens
Conservation
Conservation
Area
Cumnor
Hill
Cumnor
Hill
Townscape Designations
Townscape Designations
Area
Kennington
WoottonAppleton
Appleton
Wootton
Sunningwell
Longworth
Hinton
Waldrist
Buckland
Buscot
Buckland
Southmoor
Buscot
Longworth
Kingston
Bagpuize
Hinton
Kingston
ABINGDON
Bagpuize
Waldrist
Southmoor
Marcham
Littleworth
Charney
Bassett
FARINGDON
Stanford
FARINGDON
Great Coxwell
Coleshill
Goosey
Fernham
Great Coxwell
Denchworth
Longcot
Shrivenham
Bourton
Fernham
East
Challow
Kingston
Lisle
Longcot
Childrey
Woolstone
Shrivenham
Ashbury
Bourton
Letcombe
Regis
White Horse
Hill
White Horse
Hill
Letcombe
Bassett
Charney
East
Bassett
Hanney
Goosey
Drayton
East
Milton
Hanney
West
Hanne
Denchworth
Ardington
WANTAGE
Sutton
Courtenay
Steventon
Stanford
in the
Vale
GROVE
East
Lockinge
East
Challow
Kingston
Lisle
Woolstone
Ashbury
Drayton
West
Hanne
in the
Vale
ABINGDON
Marcham
Littleworth
Coleshill
Sunn
Radley
Ginge
Childrey
Letcombe
Regis
Harwell
SteventonDIDCOT
East
Hendred
Milto
GROVE
Harwell
Ardington
Blewbury
Chilton
WANTAGE
Letcombe
Bassett
East
Hendred
East
Lockinge
Ginge
Chilton
218Designations
The environment of the Vale is protected by a
number of designations, which seek to preserve
the area’s beauty for future generations. Image
218 illustrates these designations.
The North Wessex Downs together with part
of the Greensand Ridge fall within the North
Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty (AONB). The primary purpose of AONB
designation is to conserve and enhance the
natural beauty of the landscape.
The two
secondary aims are to meet the need for quiet
enjoyment of the countryside and to respect the
interests of those who live and work there.
The Vale of White Horse has a number of nature
conservation designations, including 2 candidate
Special Areas of Conservation, a National Nature
Reserve at Cothill Fen and 21 Sites of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI’s).
Other local nature conservation
designations in the Vale include Local Nature Reserves,
County Wildlife Sites, Ancient Woodlands, Sites of
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2.4
Designations
Importance for Nature Conservation, Ecological
Networks, and Geologically Important Sites. A full
schedule of all Nature Conservation sites in the
Vale is provided at Appendix 4 of the Local Plan.
There are over 2,000 statutorily listed buildings
in the Vale, graded I, II* and II. Listed building
consent is required for any alterations (including
demolition works) which affect the character
of a listed building. In addition, there are 52
conservation areas which have been designated
because of their special architectural or historic
interest.
Conservation area designation is
intended to preserve or enhance the character or
appearance of that area. In addition to normal
planning requirements, consent may be required
in conservation areas for demolition of buildings,
cutting, topping or lopping trees, and minor
works such as the installation of satellite dishes.
There are 8 registered parks and gardens of
special historic interest in the Vale. Like listed
buildings, they are graded I, II* and II.
219 View from the Downs
220 Buckland House
221 Pusey House
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